Sectional scaffolding construction



March 1956 2. J. JAGIEL SECTIONAL SCAFFOLDING CONSTRUCTION Filed April 10, 1955 IN V EN TOR. YZzym undJJayzel "l4 l ,7 J g E ATTORNEYS scaffolding includes a United States Patent 2,739,848 SECTIONAL SCAFFOLDING CONSTRUCTION Zigmund J. Jagiel, Toledo, Ohio Application April 10, 1953, Serial No. 348,072 8 Claims. (Cl. 304-2) This invention relates to a sectional scafiolding construction and more particularly and specifically to a sectional scaffolding composed of a plurality of identical, separably interconnected, superimposed members.

In certain prior scaffolding constructions which include generally four upright columns or corner posts interconnected by cross bars and trusses, and where the resultant plurality of superimposed units, ditferent forms of locking constructions and arrangements such as locking pins, cam locks, and threaded bolt arrangements have been used to securely interconnect the superimposed units in order to provide a rigid and strong construction and to guard against relative lateral rotation and twisting of the units.

It has been found that these prior constructions are undesirable for the reasons that such complicated locking mechanisms or arrangements substantially increase the amount of time necessary in the erection or assembly of a scaffolding construction, they greatly increase the costs of manufacture. of such constructions, and they are extremely. susceptible to damage both in storage and assembly often resulting in the provision of unsafe and unsecureconstructions. Also loss of any of the parts of the locking arrangement prevents proper assembly.

Certain other prior constructions of superimposed scaffolding units have utilized a mating pin and socket arrangement between the superimposed, sectional corner or upright columns of the construction to securely lock the superimposed sections in vertical alignment and against lateral displacement.

It has been found that mating pin and socket constructions as an interlock means between superimposed scaffolding units is undesirable both from the standpoint of highcosts of manufacture incurred in acquiring and maintaining the necessary tolerances between such mating .elements .andof the extremesusceptibility of the. pins and the sockets to damage or loss during handling and storage which results in the failure. of proper assembly or of proper interengagement between such elements in the assembly of scaffolding construction.

Further, there are substantial limitations in the versatility of .arrangement inherent in those-prior constructions utilizing multiple different, interconnectable parts.

Still further disadvantages are inherent'in prior scaffolding constructions by reason of the failure of such constructions to utilize materials of uniform size and stock in the manufacture of the numerous different members constituting an assembled scaifolding construction which results in'high costs of manufacture and non-uniformity of fit in assembly. I I

Still a further and important disadvantage inherent in prior scaffolding constructions of the superimposed unit type'resides in the substantial amount of time'and labor required in the assembly of the numerous and complicatedmembers comprising the resultant scaffolding construction 1 7 1 His therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a sectional scaitoldi'ng' construction which sub- 5 stantially eliminates all those disadvantages and problems encountered in the use of prior scaffolding constructions.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a sectional scaffolding construction which is composed entirely of a plurality of identical, and separably interconnectable members.

It is a further object of the instant invention to provide a sectional scaffolding construction which is extremely strong, durable and safe in use.

Also it is an object of the present invention to provide a new sectional scaffolding construction assembled from a plurality of a single unit or section which when so assembled forms a rigid structure.

Another object of the instant invention lies in the provision of a sectional scaffolding construction which is extremely simple in design and assembly thereby resulting in substantial savings both in the manufacture of the component parts thereof as Well as in the erection and assembly of scaffolding composed of these component parts.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a scaffolding construction which is of such an extremely simple and inexpensive design and construction as to render it wholly desirable for use by home owners as well as for use in commercial activities.

These and other objects are accomplished by the parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and subcombinations comprising the present invention, the nature of which is set forth in the following general statement, and a preferred embodiment of whichillustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles is set forth in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and which are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims forming a part hereof.

The present invention may be stated in general terms as comprising a sectional scafiolding construction including a plurality of identical units separably interconnected one to the other forming an assembly consisting of four corner posts each composed of a plurality of sections arranged in vertical end to end abutment, cross bar means rigidly interconnecting alternate vertical post sections with corresponding post sections in adjacent posts, tubular sleeve members telescopically engaged over and secured by welding or the like to the upper ends of each post section in the assembly, said sleeve members extending for a spaced distance above the upper ends of the post sections to which they are secured thus telescopically engaging the lower ends of the post sections immediately thereabove so that said superimposed post sections in each post are retained against relative lateral displacement,

said sleeve members being provided with slots in the side walls thereof extending longitudinally downwardly from the upper ends thereof for a spaced distance, said slots in the sleeve of each post section also opening outwardly therefrom perpendicularly to the axis of the cross bar means extending from said post section, whereby said slots vertically engage the cross bar means extending from the post sections immediately above the sleeves thus retaining said upper and lower post sections engaged by such sleeve members against relative lateral rotation.

By way of example, an embodiment sectional scaffolding construction constituting the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forminga part hereof wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a scaffolding construction assembled in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view, partially in vertical section for purposes of clearer illustration, of one of the .units forming a component part of, the improved con struction;

of the improved Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on line 33, Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line 4-4; Fig, 3.

Referring now to the accompanying drawing in which like numerals indicate similar parts throughout the several views, there is shown in Fig. 1 a scaifolding assembly composed entirely of identical units, which component units are generally indicated at 10.

Each of the component units 10, as illustrated in Fig. 2, consists of a pair of tubular column or end post sections 11 which are of equal length and which are interconnected intermediate their ends by a pair of spaced cross bars 12.

The cross bars 12 are of tubular construction flattened laterally at each end thereof with the flattened ends being welded as at 13 (Figs. 2 and 3) to the post members 11 each at a predetermined distance inwardly from the opposite ends of the post sections 11 to provide extended portions 14 at each end of the post sections and beyond the cross bars 12.

Tubular truss members or braces 15 are secured angularly between the spaced cross bars 12 for usual strengthening purposes. These truss bars 15 are also flattened laterally at their end portions at which points they are welded to the cross bar members 12.

The purpose of the lateral flattening of the ends of the tubular members 12 and 15 of the present construction is to permit the open ends of said tubular members to engage in a close continuous fit against the walls of the post sections and cross bars to which they are secured without the necessity of laterally contouring the ends of these tubular members to obtain a strong and inexpensive weld.

Each of the extended portions 14 at corresponding ends of the post sections 11 of each of the component units lib telescopically receives a tubular sleeve member 16 thereabout in tight sliding engagement thereover, and said sleeve members are welded as at 17 to the extended portions 1d of post sections 11 immediately above a cross bar 12.

The sleeve members 16 are of such a length as to be greater than the combined length of the extended portions 1 1 of the component units 10 whereby an upwardly opening tubular socket is formed above the upper end of each of the post sections 11 to which the sleeves are secured for the reception of the lower extended end portions 14 of post sections 11 of a second component unit superimposed thereabove.

Slots or openings 18 of general U-shaped configuration, are formed in the side walls of the sleeve members to extend downwardly and longitudinally of the sleeves for a spaced distance substantially equal to the vertical measurement of the laterally flattened ends of the cross bars 12 at their points of attachment to the post sections.

The lateral breadth of the slotted openings 18 is slightly greater than the lateral measurement of the flattened end portions of the cross bars 12 at their points of attachment to the post sections 11 to permit sliding engagement between the slotted openings in the sleeve members of one unit with the cross bar members 12 of a second unit in a manner and for purposes to be hereinafter described,

In addition, the slotted openings 18 in each sleeve member on a single component unit 10 open outwardly in both sleeves in the same direction perpendicular to the axes of the cross bars 12 of the unit.

In erecting or assembling the scaffolding construction as generally illustrated in Fig. 1, which is composed entirely of identical component units as illustrated and described with respect to Fig. 2, the manner of assembly is as follows:

Two of the component units 10 are arranged vertically and in parallel opposition with the sleeve members 16 positioned at the upper ends. thereof and with the slotted openings 18 on the corresponding. sleeve. members of opposite units 10 disposed toward one another.

then arranged with the lower ends of the post sections 11 in each unitin vertical end to end abutment upon the upper ends of corresponding, adjacent post sections 11 in the lower pair so that the component units 10 in the upper pair are positioned perpendicularly of the lower units with the end post sections of each supported upon the upper ends of the post sections of the lower pair.

When the lower ends of the post sections 11 of the upper component units are superimposed in end to end abutment upon the upper ends of the post sections 11 of the lower units as described and shown, the lower ends of the post sections 11 of the upper units abutvertically upon the upper ends of the post sections 11 of the lower units deriving firm and secure vertical support therefrom as a column, and at the same time they are retained against lateral displacement by reason of their telescopic engagement downwardly into the upwardly extending socket portions of the sleeve members 16 secured on the upperends of the post sections 11 of the lower units.

When the upperunits 10 are so positioned, the l'owcrmost cross bars 12 of these upper units will vertically, slidabiy engage downwardly into theslotted openings 18 of the sleeve members 16' in which'the lower ends ofthe post sections of these units are inserted thus locking the vertically abutted post sections of the now upper and' lower units against relative lateral twisting and rotation! T he specific details of the locking and supporting ioint" formed between the superimposed post sections oftwo superimposed component units 10 is shown in Figsi'fl and 4, wherein the abutment between the post sections 05 the upper and lower units is shown at 19 within the sleeve member 16, and wherein, as is clearly shown at 20, lateral locking engagement occurs between the cross bar member 12 and the slotted opening 18in the upper 3 end of the sleeve member 16.

it is further understood that the instant invention is not intended to be limited to the specific constructions {and arrangements'illustrated herein as it is contemplated that 1 the general features thereof may be utilized to' construct various arrangements such as fences, angular towers,'-walls and the like.

Substantially any form of assembly or arrangement can be obtained by the variation in angularity 'o axes of the slotted sleeve openings'with' respect to the'verm mbe without affecting the superimposed nesting arrangements? tical plane of the post sections and cross bar of the post sections of multiple units.

Accordingly, the constructions, arrangements-'aud comn binations herein shown and described provide aiscalfold ing construction formed wholly from identical A are of maximum simplicity and which may be assembled and manufactured at a minimum of cost; provides *foi the erection or assembly of scaffolding which will have a' maximum of strength and durability and which willfiai'r'ord a maximum of safety to personnel Working at elevated positions thereon; and provides a construction in which" components parts cannot be lost and prevent properasy sembly.

In the foregoing description, used for brevity, clearness and unnecessary limitationsv are to beare used for descriptive purposes to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiments of the improved. construeare by way oifextion illustrated and described herein p ample, and the. scope. of the present invention is not lnm ited. to the exact details oi construction disclosed.

Having now described the invention, the construction,, operation and use of preferred embodiments thereon... I

certain terms have been A under'standingibut no implied therefrom lieyond the requirements of the. prior art, because suchwordsj" herein and are intended I claim:

1. A sectional scaffolding construction including four corner posts each composed of a plurality of superimposed sections arranged in vertical end to end abutment. cross bar means interconnecting alternate vertical sections in each post with corresponding sections of adjacent posts, sleeve members telescopically enclosing the abutted ends of said post sections in each post for spaced distances above and below the planes of abutment of said sections, and said sleeve members being provided with slats for locking said abutted post sections against relative lateral rotation.

2. A sectional scaffolding construction including four corner posts each composed of a plurality of superimposed vertically abutted sections, cross bar means rigidly interconnecting alternate vertical sections in each post with corresponding sections of adjacent posts, and sleeve means enclosing the post sections above and below their planes of vertical abutment maintaining said superimposed sections against lateral displacement, and the sleeve means being provided with slots for interengaging the cross bar means holding said superimposed post sections against relative lateral rotation.

3. A sectional scaffolding construction including four corner posts each composed of a plurality of superimposed sections arranged in vertical end to end abutment, cross bar means interconnecting alternate vertical sections in each post with corresponding sections of adjacent posts, sleeve members telescopically engaging over and secured to the upper ends of each post section to extend for a spaced distance thereabove telescopically engaging about the lower end of the post section thereabove, whereby said superimposed post sections in each post are retained against lateral displacement, and said sleeve members being provided with slots for engaging the cross bar means extending from the post sections immediately thereabove to retain said upper and lower post sections against relative lateral rotation.

4. A sectional scatfolding construction including four corner posts each composed of a plurality of superimposed sections arranged in vertical end to end abutment, cross bar means interconnecting alternate vertical sections in each post with corresponding sections of adjacent posts, sleeve members telescopically engaging over and secured to the upper ends of each post section to extend for a spaced distance thereabove telescopically engaging about the lower end of the post section thereabove, whereby said superimposed post sections in each post are retained against lateral displacement, said sleeve members being provided with slots extending longitudinally downwardly for a spaced distance from the upper ends thereof, and said slots being vertically engaged with the cross bar means extending from the post section immediately thereabove, whereby said upper and lower post sections are retained against relative lateral rotation.

5. A construction as defined in claim 4 wherein the slots in the sleeve members on each of said post sections open outwardly therefrom perpendicularly to the axis of the cross bar means extending from said post sections.

6. A sectional scaifolding construction composed of a plurality of identical units, each unit including two spaced parallel corner post sections rigidly connected to each other, said units being superimposed to form t'our continuous corner posts each consisting of vertically abutted post sections wherein alternate vertical sections of said posts are rigidly connected to corresponding vertical sections of adjacent corner posts, and sleeve means at the planes of abutment of the post sections of each of said posts maintaining said vertically abutted post sections against lateral displacement, and means interengaging between said sleeve means and said connected post sections holding the post sections against relative lateral rotation.

7. A scatfolding unit including a pair of vertical post sections, spaced cross bar means interconnecting said post sections intermediate their ends, sleeve members secured in telescopic engagement to the upper ends of said post sections to extend for a spaced distance thereabove, and slots extending longitudinally downwardly for a spaced distance from the upper ends of said sleeves, and said slots being vertically engageable with the cross bar means of other units superimposed upon the first.

8. A scafiolding unit including a pair of vertical post sections, spaced cross bar means interconnecting said sections intermediate their ends, enlarged sockets formed on the upper ends of said post sections and provided with shoulders internally thereof and spaced from the upper ends, said sockets being engageable with the lower ends of other post sections with the lower ends of the last named post sections abutting said shoulders, and slots extending longitudinally downwardly for a spaced distance from the upper ends of said sockets, and said slots being vertically engageable with the cross bar means of other units superimposed upon the first.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,408,553 Wedgemann Mar. 7, 1922 2,311,988 Lavin Feb. 23, 1943 2,452,487 OSullivan Oct. 26, 1948 2,613,114 Hagen Oct. 7, 1952 

